Intel set to report strong Q2 earnings after market close, but July slump looms large

Intel is gearing up to release its second-quarter 2026 earnings after the bell. Wall Street consensus puts Intel’s Q2 EPS at roughly $0.22, with revenue projected around $14.42 billion. That revenue figure would represent meaningful sequential growth from the $13.58 billion Intel booked in Q1 2026, and it falls comfortably within the company’s own Q1 guidance range of $13.8 to $14.8 billion. The numbers look good on paper Intel’s Q1 2026 set a surprisingly optimistic tone. The company posted $0.29 EPS that quarter, beating earlier estimates. Data Center & AI revenue grew 22% year-over-year to $5.05 billion in Q1, a segment that has become the centerpiece of Intel’s pitch to Wall Street. The EPS estimate of $0.22 is actually lower than the $0.29 Intel delivered in Q1. In English: analysts expect Intel to make more money overall but less per share, which could signal margin compression or accounting adjustments that deserve scrutiny when the actual filing drops. A rough July tells a different story Strong earnings projections haven’t insulated Intel’s stock from a tough month. Shares have faced persistent downward pressure throughout July 2026, caught in a broader market downturn...